Stop and take a look around...

At the end of Ferris's 'day off' he gives some advice that life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and take a look around you may miss it. Pretty good advice.

This past week has afforded me time to be at home without appointments, free to enjoy the quiet time to take some refuge inside the house and out at the creek to be with God. The solitude, while breathing in the serene scenes and fresh, cold air, was the cool refreshing that I needed. It always thrills me, when I am capturing beauty in nature, that it first settles in my heart and will go out from there to share it through my photos. I hope they inspire you to stop and take a look around...

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Let all who take refuge in you be glad, Lord;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name
may rejoice in you.
Psalm 5:11



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Many Grackles

I had a wonderful time spotting several birds down at the creek this noon. The pair of cardinals played hide and seek with me, but I was successful in getting them photographed. I noticed a pair of ducks on the creek in a section I had not seen before. They took off in flight as I got closer. Anyone know what the other birds are?

Even the grackles were quite lovely perched in the snow-covered boughs. I thought about how, if one substituted 'grackle' for 'sparrow', in the scripture of Matthew quoting Jesus per our worth, it would be more relational to us in the metroplex that are plagued by their growing numbers.

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There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known...Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul...are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Matt. 10:26, 28-31

Gloom and Doom

Granted, there are lots of complaints about the snow and condition of the roads throughout the country right now. But I am determined to keep my joy and spread some happiness instead of taking on the heaviness of gloom and doom. I took the gifts of a light heart and optimism out to my front yard to accomplish a snow sculpture. Little did I expect that I would get to make another giant flower pot out of snow like I was afforded after a generous snowfall last February here in Texas. We don't get snow that often, let alone enough to last more than a day or make a snowman.

I know that the moisture we get now will be very influential on the wildflower showing in a few months. Thus, the flower pot instead of a snowman. Snows and showers mean great wildflowers! I have a great expectancy for the spring blooms because of the needed moisture's arrival.

As I was outside playing in the snow the sun came out and I was able to work without a hat and heavy coat. I came in to find a scarf and drape to finish off the flower pot. It is my attempt to set a happy tone and influence the moods of passersby. I saw some young men walking by in the street as I was going back inside. I playfully told them not to pick my flowers. They looked at me like I had two heads. I laughed; they did not. I heard once that you should not get your knickers in a knot. It doesn't help and makes you walk funny! LOL

I am toasty warm except for a little leftover cold on my ears. I am ready to treat myself to a bowl of Thai Kitchen Lemongrass and Chili GF soup to which I added leftover peas and chicken breast from last night's dinner. Thank you Lord, that in the midst of the storm I have a light shining in my spirit, a warped sense of humor, and a tummy full of warm soup.

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Return, O my soul to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you...I kept my faith, even when I said, "I am greatly afflicted."
Psalm 116:6,7, 10

Gracious and Merciful

We knew by projected forecasts last night that we might have an inch of snow on top of the thick coating of ice here in N. Texas. We awoke to 6 MORE inches of snow and STILL snowing this morning. We were cautioned to stay home by the weather folks as they panned spun out vehicles and stalled semis. Tow trucks and gravel trucks sent out to help were stalled and overturned as they tried to negotiate the icy, snowy bridges, entrance ramps, and mixmasters; themselves becoming additions to the numbers of folks disabled and in need of rescuing. There have been over 800 accidents in the past few days due to dangerous roadways.

I took these pictures in our yard this morning. It looks like the snow is picking up in intensity as I look through the window while typing. The wind has died down and it feels a bit warmer than the 17 degrees upon rising.

Cindy, a local newscaster, shared her experience getting into the news station this morning. She approached a signaled intersection just as the light turned red. She knew that if she braked she would spin out. She saw the police car to the left, yet she weighed the options and thought it best to continue through the red light. She glanced over and they smiled at each other as she proceeded through the intersection. He did not give her a ticket. Her experience led me to this scripture:

~~~They refused to obey...they stiffened their necks...But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and you did not forsake them.
Nehemiah 9:17~~~

Apologies, God and peeps, for the parody below, but just started laughing when I read this scripture and how it made me giggle as I applied it to what had transpired with drivers pre-warned and people having to go to work on these roads:

~~~The Metroplex residents refused to obey the warnings to stay in because of the problematic driving conditions...they had stiff necks and broken legs from falling on the ice and spinning out on the roads...But police officers and rescue teams were ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to give tickets or yell at offenders, and did not abandon them.~~~

Certainly apologies to anyone who had any injuries due to these storms! As we go through weather related storms or personal storms it is good to be gracious and merciful to one another, remembering manners and offering helping hands.

Driving Winds

From the chamber comes the whirlwind, the cold from the driving winds.
Job 37:9

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I had a quiet and productive day in the house by myself today. I cleaned some closets, made a big batch of gluten free granola, spoke to my mother and a friend on the phone, and stayed warm except for the walk to the mailbox. I was able to revisit a few of my photos taken Tuesday morning and decided on what I was going to post next.

The weather here continues to be very cold, especially with chilling winds that numb the face and make the fingers tingle. I have been fascinated with the sculpting of ice and the evidence of cold, driving winds. The snow has been ridged by the repeating winds, making an interesting pattern along the creek. The rapid, tiny ridged waves of water drove icy layers onto rocks and grasses, forming beautiful sculptures. The driving, forceful winds blew the grasses to a stance no longer perpendicular to the ground. I caught snowflakes on my tongue.

I found myself being grateful for my senses throughout these past few days. I was remembering how the water sounded as it pelted its ridges onto the rocks and shores. I was grateful for the ability to see the tiny ice sculptures. I could remember how the driving winds felt upon my face. I was appreciative of the yellow, rusty grasses against the backdrop of snow. I could smell them as I drew cold breath into my lungs. I was in awe of the fact that I could not see the wind, but I knew it was there by the sound and the bending grasses as the currents rushed around.

As I returned from the treacherous walk on ice to the mailbox and back today, I opened the front door of my warm house to the glorious smell of the granola toasting in the oven. I relished the quiet and celebrated all the ways that God has filled up my senses these past few days. I am glad to open my heart to this beauty. It flames my faith and reminds me that God is as close as the driving winds. Even closer, He has taken residence in this rejoicing heart.